The Philippines and Japan have joined forces to address juvenile delinquency through a groundbreaking initiative aimed at rehabilitating, empowering, and reintegrating children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CAR).
Launched by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and A Child’s Trust is Ours to Nurture Inc. (ACTION), in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), the project seeks to create a Community-Based Juvenile Intervention Facilitator (CBJIF) System.
This program will work with local government units (LGUs) in 56 barangays in Malabon, Navotas (National Capital Region), and Olongapo (Region 3) to support vulnerable children and help them reintegrate as responsible members of society.
In 2021, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported 11,716 CICL cases, while 10,087 CAR cases were recorded by local social welfare offices the previous year.
PNP data from 2012 to 2015 showed that 60% of CICL cases involved “crimes against property” like theft and robbery, 36% were “crimes against persons” such as rape and murder, and the rest involved violations of laws on drugs, gambling, and illegal possession of firearms.
The project emphasizes diversion and intervention programs to address underlying issues such as abuse, trauma, and adverse social environments that contribute to juvenile delinquency. Initiatives include counseling, skills training, and education to help CICL and CAR reintegrate seamlessly into the community.
The agreement marking the project’s start was signed on January 15 at the DSWD office.
JICA will oversee implementation, with ACTION taking the lead. ACTION, founded in 1994 by Mr. Hajime Yokor, has received several awards, including the 2010 Japan Foundation Prize for Global Citizenship and the 2023 Outstanding Auxiliary Social Welfare and Development Agency award from the DSWD.
As a member of JJWC, ACTION has contributed to policy development and advocacy, including the adoption of the Life Skill Intervention Toolkit and Socio-Emotional Learning Module in 2024.
JICA and ACTION have been partners since 2012, working together on Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects (TCGP) and JICA’s volunteer program, which currently supports efforts in Malabon and Olongapo.
JJWC will provide key data and resources to aid project implementation, which will run from February 2025 to August 2027.
The initiative aims to train over 20 LGU frontliners in implementing intervention and diversion plans, benefiting an initial group of 30 CICL and 90 CAR. It also seeks to develop a framework for the CBJIF system and equip LGU social workers to handle juvenile delinquency cases effectively.
“This Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Project of ours aims to support children, especially CICL or CAR, with the concept of ‘No-One-Left-Behind’ or inclusive society. Life’s circumstances may lead children’s paths astray, but, in such cases, it should be our shared responsibility to support their rehabilitation, empowerment, and reintegration to the society,” said JICA Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto.
The project underscores the commitment of both nations to creating a safer and more inclusive society for children in the Philippines. Veronica Uy
